Local non-profit Winkler Affordable Housing Inc. is taking over management of 66 housing units from Manitoba Housing.

Effective Dec. 1, the management of 12 senior units and 54 family units will be transferred to Winkler Affordable Housing Inc. (WAH).  Properties include several houses, townhouses and seniors blocks.

Winkler Mayor Martin Harder says the local leadership provides better understanding of the community's needs.

"We can now create a concerted effort for a more effective, community-led housing strategy, together," Harder says.

WAH is working with OnPoint Property Management to oversee the additional units.

Helen Wall, Owner/Operator of OnPoint, explains a local office will also make life easier for tenants and those applying for affordable housing.

"Somewhere to go that isn't an hour's drive...where they can talk face to face, because it's often a trying time for them," she says.

In the past, local residents contacted the Manitoba Housing office in Portage.

"It's always easier to resolve a situation face to face," Harder says. "That will be the biggest change the clients will see."

Located at 1-583 Main Street, OnPoint also offers services in Low-German.

Wall notes affordable housing is for anyone unable to afford rent in the area, "they want to stay here, but have just fallen on hard times and need a little bit of assistance."

She adds the rent assistance is based on income.

"We are looking forward to this partnership with Manitoba Housing," WAH Chair Michael Grenier says. "Building a sense of community and the benefits of local management are some of the things we plan to accomplish."

The management transfer is a pilot project and expected to be cost-neutral for the province and the organization.

"This is an exciting opportunity to recognize the local leadership capacity in Winkler," Finance Minister and Morden-Winkler MLA Cameron Friesen says. "WAH can help ensure there are strong connections between their properties, their tenants and the community, which is part of a strong and successful housing model."

WAH has managed a 24-unit building in the community since 2012.